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Washington, DC -- Today, Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-8th district), former U.S. Army Captain and Iraq war veteran, went before the House Foreign Affairs Committee to call for increased accountability over war operations in Iraq and also a timeline for redeploying American troops. Congressman Murphy has introduced two pieces of legislation on Iraq since coming to Congress and spoke on the merits of both before the committee today. The first bill is House Resolution 97, the Iraq Accountability Act. This bill seeks to end war profiteering, track and curb waste, fraud and abuse as well as increase transparency over the way we conduct the war in Iraq. The second piece of legislation is HR 787, the Iraq De-Escalation Act of 2007 that he introduced with Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) and Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA). This bill sets a timeline for redeploying American troops, calls for the Iraqis to come off the sidelines and do the economic redevelopment they promised and also calls for a diplomatic surge that has been missing from the way the Bush administration has conducted the war. Both of Rep. Murphy’s measures are long-overdue.
“In determining our future in Iraq, we must have the courage to put forth a plan to restore accountability and oversight, bring our troops home, and most importantly, to win the War on Terror,” said Congressman Patrick Murphy. “When I was in the Army we had a saying: lead, follow, or get out of the way. The time to act is now because future generations will judge us on our ability to lead.”
“I am proud to represent 8th district families on this critical issue,” Murphy added.
“Rep. Murphy provided thought-provoking testimony on his legislation concerning the most pressing foreign policy issue that America confronts today – the conflict in Iraq,” said Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Rep. Tom Lantos. “The legislation is thoughtful and serious. I appreciate this opportunity to hear from him, and the Committee will consider the legislation carefully.”
Iraq Accountability Act: This resolution, introduced by Congressman Murphy focuses on four crucial points for demanding fiscal responsibility in Iraq: a call for transparency and accountability on how Iraq war funds are spent; the creation of a Truman Commission-type committee to investigate the awarding of contracts and curb waste, fraud and abuse; a need to fund the Iraq war through the normal budgeting process and not through “emergency” supplemental budgets; and to encourage Iraqis to take responsibility for their own country and improve Iraqi assumption of internal policing operations.
Iraq De-Escalation Act of 2007: This is binding legislation that would stop President Bush’s escalation by capping the number of troops at January 10, 2007 levels; puts forward specific benchmarks for success in Iraq – including economic redevelopment; and establishes a timeline to redeploy our troops. The bill provides for a strategic strike force that will remain in the region to train Iraqis, protect against more violence and perform counterterrorist activities. The Iraq De-Escalation Act will refocus the efforts of American armed forces on Afghanistan and the hunt for Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda. It also urges the president to send a Special Envoy to Iraq to begin the important work of diplomacy with key nations in the region.
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